La Voz

My editor in chief send-off article is especially poignant for me. Not only am I leaving La Voz Weekly, but I'm also graduating De Anza College and starting next fall at San Francisco State.

As chiché as it sounds, it really is difficult to say goodbye. I am indebted to many people that have supported, encouraged and inspired me throughout my time here, and I wish I could thank everyone. But for now, I would like to honor a special few.

My parents: Thank you, Mom and Dad, for giving me life, giving me a love of God, and for your love and encouragement. Mom, thank you especially for all your sacrifices and bugging me to see the latest issue of La Voz and showing off to anybody that would listen. I feel good knowing that no matter what, you are always proud of me.

My husband: Kevin, you always have an unwavering support for all that I do. I appreciate how you always believe and have faith in me, even when I don't. I truly could not have done this without you. We actually owe a lot to De Anza, since we met in the high school ROP Auto Tech program here. I am incredibly proud of you and of the family we created. Gihigugma ko ikaw! P.S. Your parents are the best in-laws ever!

My baby boy: Darian, thank you for giving me newfound purpose and drive to succeed, both academically and in life. You always amaze me with your intelligence, humor, unconditional love and of course, those blue eyes. Even though I've done a lot, you will always be the best thing I've ever done. Mama loves you!

My advisor: Beth, you have been incredibly encouraging and helpful, yet always respected me as editor in chief. You are everything an advisor should be and more. Former Editor in chief Steve Cabana once told me matter-of-factly what an awesome person you were, and I whole-heartedly agree.

My right-hand-man: Tom, you have been an incredible managing editor. I will miss working with you, and all your funny antics. Thank you for always having my back, and for literally cracking it every Thursday night with your bear hugs. I expect only great things from you in your future endeavors.

My old-timers: Dan, I still can't believe that you predicted that I would be the next editor in chief soon after you first met me back in August. Thank you for letting me learn on my own, and helping when I asked. Reza, thanks for being the first person to talk to me about the position. I enjoyed our talks about the "meaning of life," and am thankful for all your help this quarter.

In this job, I've made my share of mistakes, and endured the grueling weekly production schedule, criticism and endless frustrations, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I always felt it was worth it when I saw students reading the paper that I worked so tirelessly on.

Although I have served as editor in chief for only one quarter, I hope that I have made a difference, if only in a small way. I dedicated myself to this paper for three quarters, and hopefully my successor with continue on with the same passion and tenacity that I have tried to bring. I was extremely lucky to work with very talented and hardworking editors and staff, and I have a great deal of respect for all of them.

I remember back to my first quarter here in winter, 2005. I was a newlywed and then became pregnant mid-quarter. Never could I have imagined at that time that I would graduate De Anza within two years and as editor in chief of the school newspaper. I truly believe that I could not have achieved this level of success anywhere but here. I hope I can serve as an example of a young mother success story, and go on to do great things. Salamat, De Anza.

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